Created by a team of former public defenders who witnessed the damage caused by excessive school discipline and lack of educational supports, Ignite Law Group provides individual advocacy for children in underserved communities while also fighting for systemic change in education, community policing, and the juvenile legal system.

Laura McWilliams

Laura McWilliams (she/her/hers) practiced as a public defender in Allegheny County for over a decade, focusing on enhancing procedural justice within a system that can feel confusing, unfair, and rigged to those forced to enter it. Laura continued those efforts as an education attorney with Ruder Law, LLC. Laura brings her passion for zealous advocacy and advancing procedural justice to Ignite Law Group.

Allison Ware

Allison Ware (she/her/hers) is an Associate Director of Clinical Programs at Duquesne University Law School. Allison teaches the landlord tenant clinic, where she seeks to “and ignite in [her students] the desire and passion [of] serving others in their communities. Allison worked as an assistant public defender in the juvenile division of Allegheny County’s Office of the Public Defender. Allison developed the office’s summary representation project, which provided legal representation for children charged with citations before magistrates. She also worked with parents and students as part of the educational representation team in the Juvenile Division.